Play Ball!

Back in April, when my parents were here for Easter, we were supposed to go to a Durham Bulls baseball game. But it got rained out. Today I finally used those tickets. Now why I decided to go to a 1:05pm game in the middle of July is beyond me, but there you have it. It wasn't quite as hot as hell but it was kind of close, at least until the 7th inning when we finally were in the shade.

The stadium and field were much smaller than I was expecting. I've never been to a major league game but I've been to plenty of college games and a few games of the Round Rock Express (also a Triple A team) and I guess it is true what they say...everything IS bigger in Texas!



There was plenty of entertainment between innings for big and little kids alike and being in a smaller stadium really helped with that. I definitely want to go back. Maybe just not when it's so hot!




Oh yeah, when a home run is hit (by the Bulls of course, who cares about the other team) the bull's eyes light up, his tail goes up and down and smoke comes out of his nose. It's pretty funny.

You know this wasn't a Baptist church

I love it.

Why do wedding dance videos make me get all verklempt? Like I could cry right now if I let myself. It's ridiculous.

When a plan comes together

This is a project that I recently completed at work. Previously, the walls were stark white and there was a hideous floral camel back sofa and a beat up desk that had seen better days. Now it is a modern updated space.

Chairs: Krug Carlyle with Arc-Com Shimmer in Cornflower
Rug: Surya Roommates

Mash Up

Munchies

This is how I feel when I get the munchies. Except I prefer chips or cookies over broccoli.

It's about damn time

You have no idea how long I have been waiting for this movie to come out. The first time I saw this trailer....I have to admit I got choked up. Also, I put the date the movie comes out on my Google calendar.

Dorkiness

I haz it.

After my own heart

Saw this in a parking lot and of course I had to stop and take a photo.

They don't make them like this anymore

The other day, Kristin and I were meandering around Raleigh and stumbled upon this house. It is beautiful. Unfortunately, it's a wreck inside (yes, we did press our faces to the windows). Maybe some day someone will restore it to its former glory

Cute or creepy?

Time to celebrate!

It's official. I'm no longer a home owner.

When I got the news, at work today, I did a little dance right there in my chair. There may have been some waving of the arms in the air and stomping of the feet. The money is even in my account already. God bless wire transfers.

Joy

Now that I will no longer be using one entire paycheck to pay for a mortgage/HOA fees/utilities on a home in a state I don't even live in, I can start shopping again. For months I have only been buying only the most necessary things (okay, maybe there might have been one new pair of shoes).

A while back I saw these earrings on a blog. I loved them but, of course, didn't make note of where to buy them or even which blog I saw them on. So last week, during some down time at work, I went on a Google search. Do you know how many pages you have to sift through when you Google "silver bird earrings"? I found many cute ones before finding Figs & Ginger. Tonight I completed my purchase and I can't wait to put these little chickies in my ears.

Below is another pair I ran across and also loved. But they were twice as much and I'm still in budget mode so I went with the originals. She's got lots of cute things so I will definitely be checking back when I've got more funds.

Almost there

Today I signed the papers for the sale of my condo and put in the mail back to Austin. The closing is on Wednesday and after that (*touch wood* that nothing goes wrong) I will be FREE! Finally.

mmmmcake

This is a cake, ya'll.
So it'd be like eating cake and biscuits at the same time.
Awesome





www.cupcakeenvy.com
Originally uploaded by cupcakeenvy

What a blonde

In the mood

I'm in the mood...to sew.

The problem?

1. Not enough fabric for the pattern

2. No sewing table.

I guess I could clear off the desk and use that. Or stand up at the kitchen bar. But really, that's just too much effort. Instead I'll just go catch up on my DVR and do some knitting.

This Blows

The photo does not even do my bruise justice. This is what happens when you have veins that are notoriously difficult to get blood from combined with a blown vein. Whenever I have to have blood drawn they get one chance in each arm and then I make them take it from the hand. This past Saturday, I don't know what happened, but when I saw my skin actually bubble up I knew that it wasn't going to be pretty. Then when the nurse brought an ice pack out to put on my hand I knew for sure.

I like to win stuff...

so click on this link and help me win a bike.

The Holy Grail

I am addicted to these tangerine whole fruit bars from Edy's (or Dryer's, depending which part of the country you're in). But apparently, this flavor is harder to find than ice in the desert. Sure, I can buy all the lime, grape or coconut flavor I want but it has become a quest to find the tangerine. Imagine how excited I was to buy the very last box at Super Target this past weekend?

Edy's website has a handy thing that will tell you which stores in your area have the tangerine flavor. Even better, I was able to sign up to get an email alert when the next shipment arrives at my store. How awesome is that?

Summertime Blues

I have them. Now that our big project has been turned in it's a waiting game to see if we get shortlisted and then awarded the job. In the meantime, all I want to do is veg out.

I don't feel like blogging, or reading blogs, or really anything that has to do with sitting in front of a computer.

Yet another reason

So this morning I had an appointment with a new dermatologist. Time for my annual skin check, dontcha know. Reason #4598 it sucks to be single and be new in town: who do I put down for my emergency contact? Now really, how many emergencies can there really be at the dermatologist's office, but still. I used to always put my dad down but if there is an emergency in North Carolina it won't do a lot of good for them to call Texas, will it?

Reason #9593 it sucks to be single: no one to check your moles in areas of your body that you can't see. So in addition to getting some moles on my face and leg sliced and diced the doctor suggests that the one one my ass get removed too, since I can't very well check it myself. Let me just say, it's kinda in a place where the sun don't shine. Good thing I checked that I need to be medicated before procedures. I hope they know I was serious because I only have half a Xanax left. I knew there was a good reason I've been hoarding it like it was a precious diamond.

In good news...I got to leave work at a normal hour today. Yay!

see more dog and puppy pictures

Bodies

Bodies were not meant to work 70 hours a week sitting in front a computer. Yesterday (that would be Saturday), I worked 8 hours straight, staring intensely at numbers and letters on the screen. The only movement, besides the scroll of the mouse wheel or the click of a button, was to reach for my Diet Coke or more chocolate. Repeat again today. Guess what happens tomorrow? Same thing. So, barring some fabulous news that we get the day off after our bid is turned in I will have worked 12 days straight. This does not amuse me.

Thankfully all my coworkers are cool or we would have all killed each other by now.

You know you're tired when...

you nearly take the dog out for her morning walk in just your bra, underwear and Crocs.

I was not meant to function on 4 hours sleep.

Facebook lies

This morning I took one of those silly quizzes on Facebook. "What Big 12 school are you?" Do you know what it told me? The University of Texas! That is just wrong on so so many levels. I suppose it could be worse....it could have said Oklahoma University. Maybe living in Austin for 10 years influenced my answers but if that were the case wouldn't growing up in Aggieland have done the same thing? Obviously, I am way over thinking this stupid Facebook quiz. Also, when I started college it was still the Southwest Conference and I've got a sweatshirt to prove it, so whatever.

One of my friends from college posted this awesome video the other day. Since there is a Chick-Fil-A on every corner here I thought it was extra funny.

Dreams

Do you dream about work? We're working on a massive bid, under a tight deadline, and I've been dreaming about work. Let me tell you, cubicles....not so pleasant to dream about. My youngest coworker says she sleeps just fine and has no dreams. The rest of us, those of us that have been doing this for years, we know better. I told her just wait, her time will come. I'm not sure what is worse...nightmares about work and things that can actually go wrong or dreaming that I've forgotten the combination to my high school locker and my class schedule.


**Not a photo of the bid, but a past project in Austin that was much more fun to work on.

Party time! Excellent.

Yeah, that's right. I just dated myself. I wonder if my coworker, born in 1986, has even heard of Bill & Ted and their excellent adventure? Anyway....

My sister is coming to visit me! Yay!

Crossing my fingers

Finally, an offer has been made on my condo. It happened late Saturday night. I signed everything Monday morning and now it's just a matter of waiting. Please o please let selling the place go better than buying it did.

Now, to buy or not to buy in North Carolina...that is the question.

Say what?!

I really miss....

having summers off. As much as I love my job and the people I work with, all I want to do tomorrow is be at the pool soaking up some sun (wearing my SPF 85, of course). Then I want to come home, put on my pjs, watch some tv, and then stay up into the wee hours reading. That's basically how I spent most of my teenage summers.

Sometimes, being a grown up sucks.

Gotta go. 7:30 meeting in the morning.

Super Lemon NOM NOM Cake

So I made this cake today. It was super easy. Just make sure to grease your pan adequately or it will stick. That is why my cake is not pretty. But it still tastes great.



Super Lemon NOM NOM Cake

• 1 package cake mix (use the kind that says it is moist. try not to laugh at the word moist)

• 1 package (4 serving size) lemon instant pudding and pie filling mix

• 4 eggs

• 1 cup water

• 1/3 cup vegetable oil

• zest of one lemon

Preheat oven to 35o. Grease bundt pan. Combine all ingredients and beat with mixer. Pour into pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean. Cool for 25 minutes in pan, invert onto heat resistant serving platter.

While your cake is cooling you can make the glaze:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
• zest of one lemon
• 1 1/2 tablespoons water
• 1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Beat until smooth. Pour over cake.

NOM NOM NOM until your eyes roll back in your head. Or you go into a diabetic coma. Whichever comes first.

My cousin is a rock star

Okay, not a rock star.....a design star! Last summer Hanna opened her store, Sanctuary, and since then it's been article after article in the paper, blogs (Ikea, Apartment Therapy,decor8) and now a magazine. I have to admit, I'm a teeny bit jealous of her style and also her drive & determination. That woman is certainly not lazy, unlike me.

She started out wanting to be a doctor when she was in college. Quite a different path, don't you think?

I love this cat

*boing*

Invisible

It's true, I have invisible friends. These are people that I've known, some for more than 10 years, from various online forums. Today, just a couple of hours ago, one of the nicest ladies I never met passed away. She was grace personified during her difficult battle with cancer. She leaves behind many friends and family, but most significant is her young son, Liam. So if you are the praying sort, please keep him in your prayers. I can only imagine how difficult this must be for him.


Rest in peace, Terri-Lynn. You will be greatly missed.

Ice cream

I don't know how all those food bloggers do it, taking their fancy pictures. Today I am making Oreo Mint ice cream, from my Ben & Jerry's ice cream recipe book, and I was going to document my process for all ya'll. Do you know how hard it is to photography white?

But check out my oreos. Don't they look delicious?



I will let you know how the final product turns out.


edit: here's what I've learned...patience is important when making ice cream! I was over eager and put the oreos in too soon. That made the machine work too hard so I had to pull the soft serve style ice cream out. At the bottom of the container it was starting to turn into actual ice cream so if I had waited a bit longer...oh well it still tastes good and is in my freezer now. I think it could use more oreos. Good thing there are still some in the package.

I needed a laugh

see more dog and puppy pictures

All together now

It's the middle of May

and it's cold outside! Seriously cold. Check out the forecast for tomorrow morning:

Monday will get the work week off to a chilly, wet start. A chance of showers lingers through the morning, and the day will start off in the 40s.

FOR-TIES

People.

That is winter.

Live long and prosper

Who knew Star Trek could be so hot?










What?

Sorry, I got lost in a fantasy.
I need to get out more don't I?


But seriously, awesome movie (and I'm not a science fiction nerd or anything).

Broken Gnome

I love this little guy. Today, after another exhausting day of work (yesterday I worked until 10pm, only taking 45 minutes to run home to feed & walk Lulu) I came home to find this. Apparently, there is a new maintenance man at my apartment complex and he got a bit carried away with the power washer. The management has offer to replace my gnome--yes, I did complain mainly because water also got under the front door--but he came from Ikea years ago and was like $2. Hopefully I can find that tube of superglue that I saw when I was unpacking.



Also, my gnome is a tough little dude. How hard do you have to be flinging that power washer around?! I hope this will not be the same guy that comes in to exterminate the giant spiders next week.

Even funnier

Maybe only if you work in cubicle land. Or with geeks. Or are a geek. Or maybe all three. Personally, I am neither. Hey. Stop laughing. At me.

This is so familiar

Affordable Art

The Poster List

Cool site with lots of neat posters with which to decorate. The one above caught my eye because that is something my dad used to say to me when I would leave for school every morning. You could always count on hearing:

Do your best.
Slay those dragons
Simper ubi sub ubi!

Taste off!

Tonight I thought I was going to D.I.E if I didn't get some ice cream right away. So even though I was already in my comfy in for the night clothes (who am I kidding, those are my every night after 5pm clothes) I went to the grocery. Yes, I might run into Orlando Bloom or Colin Firth at the store (they're in town shooting a film) but so what. Orlando is scrawny. Anyway, back to my story.

My good buddies, Ben and Jerry, were on sale again. 2 for $6. I sought out my favorite, mint chocolate cookie, but then spied mint chocolate chunk. Inspiration struck. A taste off!

First of all, let me say that I still think these ice creams should be green. But they are not so I must get past it. Mint chocolate cookie is basically mint flavored cookies and cream. Good stuff. But I think the mint chocolate chunk is my new favorite.

You have GOT to be kidding me

So a couple of weeks ago my manager was behind me on the drive in to work. She told me that one of my tail lights was out. Today I finally get around to buying the bulb. Now, I really wanted to just go to the mechanic shop and have them do it but I thought "I'm a big girl, I can do this".

Only, I can't get the damn plastic panel open to even put the bulbs in. I think there must be some trick so off to my trusty pal Google I go. This is what I find:

Inside the trunk/hatch area, directly behind the tail light assembly, are two cover plates. Remove these with a flat tool (screwdriver will work) by prying in the small slit. They pop off. Inside one you will see a nut. This is a 10mm socket. NOTE: This nut is very easy to lose once loosened! If at all possible use a magnetic socket.

Other quotes include saying to just take the car into the Nissan dealer. @#!$@ I don't have time for this. Do you think I own a 10mm socket? Much less one that is magnetized? Honestly, I'm not even sure I could tell you what a socket looks like at this point I am so enraged.

I knew I should have just gone mechanic shop to start with.

Relaxing

Lulu enjoying the spring morning on the patio



She was not relaxed by the time I took this photo. She gets annoyed when I keep calling her name and telling her to look at me. Also, I think the sound of the shutter bugs her. She's such a princess.

Black and White

Fresh from the farm

Every day, on my way home from work, I drive by a little farm. Recently they opened up as a pick your own strawberry patch. I've been dying to go. My coworkers went during lunch today and were kind enough to get some for me (I was away at a meeting). They are so delicious that I might just eat the whole container tonight if I'm not careful!

Now I'm hungry

So happy so sad

Happy because I ordered my Wienerdog Millionaire shirt.



Sad because the lineup for ACL came out today and there are so many awesome bands I want to see but I will not be attending. Beastie Boys! Kings of Leon!! Lily Allen! Girl Talk! Citizen Cope!!! Toadies! It is to weep that I won't be there.

Something I miss about Austin

The Buda Wiener dog races! The theme this year cracks me up. I wonder if I can get a t-shirt of that? Check out this dogumentary (get it?!) about the crazy world of wiener dog racing.

For Mom & Dad

because they said I don't post enough photos of Lulu

That ain't right

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

but it sure did make me laugh (or should I say LOL?).

What I did last night

I spent the night in the company of two hot men.










































It was teh awesome. But movies like that make me want to drive fast, swear loudly and listen to ghetto rap/regattone. Only, I'm a fat, white, 35 yr old woman driving a fuel efficient car in a town with crappy radio stations (and my ipod, which is filled with just exactly the kind of music I needed, was at home). So I only drove recklessly home until the first exit. And really, it wasn't my fault. People here do not drive friendly. Let me change lanes people!

The one in which Lulu misses her yard

So it's a beautiful day outside. Sunny, not a cloud in the sky, 75 degrees. On this type of day, in Austin, you could usually find Lulu sunning herself in the back yard. Now that we're apartment dwellers that is not so easy. We just went on a walk and at first I thought she was sick again because she kept getting slower and slower. Next thing I know she's lounging in the grass! It took us forever to get back inside.

I am going to set up my camping chair outside and take Lulu out there and see if that will work for her. I really want to take a nap, and it can be done in that chair, but the sacrifices I make for my baby....

yes, I did just call Lulu my baby

Vomitorium

Does anyone know a good way to get the scent of dog vomit out of my car? Because it's been rainy here for the last two days so I can't roll the car windows down and tonight when I got in the car to go home from work I nearly threw up myself. *gak* I drove straight to the grocery store with all 4 windows down in search of something to absorb the scent. As far as I can tell, everything has been cleaned up. I mean my mother was out there with q-tips, for goodness sakes! So now it's just lingering. On and on and on. Maybe I'll just walk to work tomorrow.

Did you know...

that koalas can get STDs? I am not even kidding. Who knew! They sure don't teach you that in 8th grade health class.

White kids can dance?

I wonder where this kid learned his movies.

Want

This poster

Happy Easter

I hope everyone had a good Easter. Mine was very nice. My parents came to visit and we had a good time. Lulu especially enjoyed seeing them and loved the bag of chocolate that was accidentally left where she could reach it.

In case you want to know....chocolate and activated charcoal scented dog vomit does not smell so good. I think I could be a mom because I totally tried to catch the puke in my hand as I was driving down the dark, winding, wet road on the way home from the emergency vet. Unfortunately, Lulu's aim was not so good. Thank goodness my car upholstery is dark and my commute to work tomorrow is short!

Spooky

This is daily occurrence at my office.

As if I don't watch enough tv already...

I really want this Roku digital video player. It lets you watch videos from Netflix directly on your tv. That would be teh awesome since as much as I love my Zody chair, I do not dig sitting in front of my computer to watch movies. Apparently, if you have an X-box you can already do this so you don't have to go out and buy another device. But I don't have any video game thingys (but if the Wii fairy stopped by my house I would not be sad at all).

Flea Market Find

Today was a beautiful day. A bit windy, but the sun was shining and there was not a rain drop anywhere! So I made sure to get out and enjoy it. I went to the flea market that is held every weekend at the NC state fairgrounds. It was pretty awesome. Kind of like a mini-First Monday at Canton.

After that I wanted to go to the yarn store. The only way I know how to get there is from one highway. My sister did give me a GPS for Christmas but it doesn't do you much good if you can't remember the name of the road the shop is on OR the name of the shop. So I meandered around for about 50 miles, give or take, before I finally got to the highway. I didn't mind too much since it was such a pretty day. But really, I have got to figure out these roads! Although, I see a GPS in just about every car on the road so obviously I'm not the only one getting lost.

Get Crafty!

Spring!

Lulu strikes again

I don't know what her problem was today, but Lulu went nuts while I was at work and got into the trash. She moved the trash can from one end of the kitchen to the other, pulled out all the trash (including several magazines and catalogs) and then spread it all over the apartment. She tried to do the same thing with my shredder, which you can barely see in the corner, but thankfully it was too heavy. She did tear up the edges of the exposed plastic bag though.

Was it because I tried to blow dry her this morning? It was pouring down rain and she got completely soaked. I didn't want her to be cold! Was she mad because I wouldn't share any sandwich meat when I was making my lunch? Or was she just plain bored?

I hate it when this happens

Art courtesy of MyLifeInaCube.com

So far, at my new office, I don't think anyone has actually worn the exact same shirt yet but there have been days where 2 or 3 of us are all dressed alike. Completely by accident, of course.

If only I had a cat

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

I'm a wiener!

A few months ago I stumbled upon a blog called Doxiementary. It is about Franny, a smooth red doxie, and her life. She recently had a contest and I won! My prize is a package of Frontline Plus, which of course will come in very handy for Lulu. Here is Franny modeling the prize:

Flying can be fun

OMGIamsoexcited

I have tickets to hear Frank from the PostSecret site give a lecture at Duke University on Wednesday night. I'm totally excited. Tickets went on "sale" (they're free, although there was a $3 handling fee) at 10am this morning but I didn't remember until 1pm so I was sure I missed my chance. Thankfully, I did not.